Do You Get All Your Wedding Photos?
Do Wedding Photographers Give You All The Photos?
The big double-whammy question: Do wedding photographers give couples all the photos? What about the RAWs?
These two pop up on wedding forums all the time, so let’s tackle them one at a time.
Do Wedding Photographers Give All The Photos?
Short answer: no
Here’s why: During a full wedding day, your photographer will likely take thousands of photos. Among those photos are test shots, duplicates, and occasional photo where Uncle Bob was blinking, a guest sneezed, or a waiter photobombed the shot.
Part of our job, quite a big part, is to sort through these images, selecting only the very best. What you get is a carefully curated set of photos that tells the story of your wedding beautifully.
Think of it this way: You are hiring a professional not just to take photos but to deliver a polished collection of highlights, free of distractions and repetitive shots. You don’t need 20 near-identical pictures of the bouquet toss; you need the one perfect shot that captures the moment. It’s all about quality over quantity.
Do Wedding Photographers Provide RAW Photos?
Short answer: no (again)
Now, let’s break it down a bit. RAW files are like unfinished paintings — they’re the starting point, not the finished masterpiece. They’re massive in size, unprocessed, and can be pretty unimpressive to look at before post-processing.
Here’s why you don’t actually want RAW files:
They require professional software and a high-speed computer to process
You can’t share or print them as they are
Without post-processing, they lack the polish and beauty you’d expect in wedding photos
Wedding photographers put a lot of artistry into editing — adjusting lighting, colour, contrast, and fine details. This is where the magic happens. Providing RAW files would be like a baker handing you the cake ingredients. Sure, it could still be a cake, but it’s not the finished product they’d be proud to present.
The Legal Side: Why RAW Files Aren’t Shared
When you hire a photographer, the contract typically states that the images retain their copyright, and you are granted to use a license to use the final, edited photos. This protects you and the photographer.
Sharing our RAW files can complicate this. If RAW files are altered and circulated, it becomes harder to prove copyright ownership. Essentially, it’s about maintaining the integrity of the work while ensuring the photos reflect the photographer’s creative vision.
Why This Works in Your Favour
We photographers don’t withhold photos to be difficult. We curate collections to make sure that you get a collection of memorable, beautiful, polished images that you’ll cherish forever. You hire us because you trust us to deliver our absolute best, and that’s exactly what we do.
So, no, you won’t get all the photos or RAW files — but that’s just part of the process that ensures your wedding memories are picture-perfect.
